Simulated Mine

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a simulated mine includes a multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) device and a pyrotechnic device disposed in a simulated mine housing that simulates the appearance of an actual mine. The multiple integrated laser engagement system device is operable to transmit a light signal representative of a blast from the actual mine. The pyrotechnic device is operable to detonate simultaneously with transmission of the light signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e), this application claims priority fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/986,070 entitledSIMULATED MINE, filed Nov. 7, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to military training devices, and moreparticularly, to a simulated mine.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Training generally serves to enhance the skill of individuals bydeveloping appropriate responses to various situations that may beencountered. Soldiers may conduct training exercises in order to preparefor scenarios that may be encountered in an actual combat situation.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one embodiment, a simulated mine includes a multipleintegrated laser engagement system (MILES) device and a pyrotechnicdevice disposed in a simulated mine housing that simulates theappearance of an actual mine. The multiple integrated laser engagementsystem device is operable to transmit a light signal representative of ablast from the actual mine. The pyrotechnic device is operable todetonate simultaneously with transmission of the light signal.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide numerous technicaladvantages. For example, a technical advantage of one embodiment mayinclude the capability to simulate the blast pattern of an actual mineusing a viewable light signal. Other technical advantages of otherembodiments may include the capability to simultaneously provide a blastpattern from a light signal along with audio/visual effects from apyrotechnic device to further simulate an actual mine. Yet othertechnical advantages of other embodiments may include the capability toemulate the actual physical appearance of a mine in addition toproviding a blast pattern from a light along with audio/visual effectsfrom a pyrotechnic device.

Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, variousembodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.Additionally, other technical advantages may become readily apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figuresand description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of embodiments of the disclosure will beapparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is one embodiment of a simulated mine according to the teachingsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of an actual mine that is simulatedby the simulated mine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a rear elevational view of the actual mine of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a partial rear elevational view of the actual mine of FIG.2A;

FIG. 2D is a graphical representation of a pattern that may be generatedby an explosion of the actual mine of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the simulated mine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the simulated mine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the simulated mine of FIG. 1 shownwith its rear cover removed;

FIG. 6 is a an embodiment of a prototype of the simulated mine of FIG. 1shown with its rear cover removed;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are photographs of prototype multiple integrated laserengagement system circuit boards that may be implemented with thesimulated mine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a graphical representation of a light patternthat may be generated by the simulated mine of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a graphical representation of a light patternthat may be generated by the simulated mine of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood at the outset that, although exampleimplementations of embodiments of the invention are illustrated below,the present invention (as defined by the claims) may be implementedusing any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. Thepresent invention (as defined by the claims) should in no way be limitedto the example implementations, drawings, and techniques illustratedbelow. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) was developed toprovide realistic training scenarios for soldiers. A soldier may use aMILES device implemented in a weapon, such as a firearm. The MILESdevice may emit a generally harmless line-of-sight type signal from alight emitting diode (LED) or laser. Other soldiers may wear detectorsthat can detect these signals in order to simulate an actual impact fromthe firearm.

A “mine” is a type of explosive device that may be placed in or on theground and configured to explode upon receipt of a trigger signal from aswitch. Attempts at simulating mines do not adequately simulate theappearance and/or functionality of mines. Thus, soldiers may not beadequately trained to recognize certain types of mines that may be usedby enemy combatants. Accordingly, teachings of certain embodiments ofthe invention recognize that a MILES device may be implemented tosimulate the functionality of a mine. Additionally, teachings of certainembodiments of the invention recognize that audio/visual enhancement maybe added to a MILES device to further simulate the appearance and/orfunctionality of a mine.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a simulated mine 100. In this embodiment,simulated mine 100 generally includes simulated mine housing 120 havingone or more light transmitters 130 for transmitting a MILES light signal(such as an infrared signal) or other type of light signal thatsimulates a blast (e.g., a blast pattern) representative of an actualmine 200 (shown in FIG. 2). Other embodiments of the disclosed inventionmay be configured to simulate a blast representative of mines other thanthe example actual mine 200 illustrated in FIG. 2.

According to the teachings of the present disclosure, simulated mine 100may also include a pyrotechnic device 140 for placement in simulatedmine housing 120 and operable to detonate when the light transmitters130 emit a MILES light signal. In certain embodiments of a simulatedmine 100, the pyrotechnic device 140 may provide enhanced simulation ofthe actual mine 200. When detonated, the pyrotechnic device 140 may emita relatively loud audible blast and/or a visible flash. Soldiers may betherefore trained to recognize the type and nature of the simulated mine100 based upon audio and/or visual signals provided by the pyrotechnicdevice 140.

Pyrotechnic device 140 may be any suitable type. In one embodiment,pyrotechnic device 140 may be a M30/main gun simulation system(M30/MGSS) device. The M30/MGSS device is a commercial off the shelf(COTS) component that may be available and relatively inexpensive. Inother embodiments, the pyrotechnic device 140 may be other devices,including non-COTS components.

A manual switch 150 and an firing wire 160 may also be provided todetonate the simulated mine 100. In one embodiment, manual switch 150 isconfigured to be manually triggered. In another embodiment, manualswitch 150 is an M57 firing device. In other embodiments, the simulated100 mine may be triggered in other manners, which may not use a firingwire 160.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show a front perspective view, a rear elevationalview, and a rear elevational partial view, respectively, of an actualmine 200.

In one embodiment, the actual mine 200 is a M18 claymore anti-personnelmine, featuring a shipping plug priming adapter 210, arrows 212, plasticmatrix 214, detonator well 216, explosives 218, and legs 220. The M18claymore anti-personnel mine is a directional fragmentation mine. Thedimensions of the example mine 200 are approximately 8.5 inches long,1.375 inches wide, and 3.25 inches high, and the mine 200 weighsapproximately 3.5 pounds. The example M18 claymore anti-personnel mineincludes approximately 700 steel spheres (10.5 grains) and a 1.5 poundlayer of composition C-4 explosive (element 218 in FIG. 2A) stored inthe detonator well 216 that may be initiated by a No. 2 electricblasting cap. A plastic matrix 214 briefly contains the charge from theNo. 2 electric blasting cap from the explosives 218.

The example M18 claymore anti-personnel mine may be implemented withobstacles or on the approaches, forward edges, flanks and rear edges ofprotective minefields as close-in protection against an infantry attack.

The example M18 claymore anti-personnel mine projects a fan-shapedpattern of steel balls in an approximately 60-degree horizontal arc, ata height of approximately 2 meters, and covers a casualty radius ofapproximately 100 meters. The effective range is the range at which themost desirable balance between lethality and area coverage is achieved.The effective range for the example mine is 50 meters.

The forward danger radius is 250 meters. The backblast area is unsafe 16meters to the rear and sides of the M18 claymore anti-personnel mine.Friendly personnel within 100 meters to the rear and sides of the M18claymore anti-personnel mine on should be in a covered position.

FIG. 2D is a graphical diagram of a pattern 240 generated by anexplosion of the actual mine 200, which in this particular case is theabove-described M18 claymore anti-personnel mine. The M18 claymoreanti-personnel mine may also generate scatter patterns 260 around itsperiphery during detonation.

Although one example actual mine has been shown and described withreference to FIG. 2, it should be understood that the simulated mine mayemulate characteristic (e.g., blast patterns and the like) of othermines. The discussion above of a particular mine for actual mine 200 isfor illustrative purposes only.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the simulated mine 100 of FIG. 1.Simulated mine 100 may include one or more connectors 310 for couplingmanual switch 150 to the simulated mine 100 through the firing wire 160.In one embodiment, a first connector 310 may be coupled to the manualswitch 150 and a second connector 310 may coupled to another simulatedmine 100 such that two or more simulated mines 100 may be detonated bymanual switch 150 in a daisy-chain-like fashion.

In this embodiment, the light transmitters 130 may be any suitabledevice that transmits light compliant with the MILES. In otherembodiments, the light transmitters may be not be compliant with theMILES. In some embodiments, simulated mine 100 may include one or morelight emitting diodes (LEDs) 320 for simulating the scatter pattern 260of the actual mine 200.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the simulated mine 100 of FIG. 1.Simulated mine 100 includes a pyrotechnic device base 360 for housingthe pyrotechnic device 140 and a pyrotechnic device holder 380 that isselectively removable for allowing placement of pyrotechnic device 140in pyrotechnic device base 360. In one embodiment, one or more lightemitting diodes 320 may be disposed on the rear cover 410 of thesimulated mine housing 120. In this manner, the light emitting diodes320 may simulate the actual scatter pattern 260 to the rear of thesimulated mine 100.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the simulated mine 100 shown withthe rear cover 410 removed in order to reveal several components of thesimulated mine 100. The simulated mine 100 may incorporate one or morepyrotechnic batteries 420 that provide electrical power for detonatingthe pyrotechnic device 140. In this particular embodiment in whichpyrotechnic device 140 is a M30/MGSS device, two 9-volt pyrotechnicbatteries 42 may provide electrical power for detonating the pyrotechnicdevice 140. Simulated mine 100 may also rely on other power sources inplace of or in conjunction with pyrotechnic batteries 420.

Simulated mine 100 also includes one or more MILES circuit boards 460that include various electronic components for implementing the MILESlight signal in response to a trigger from the manual switch 150. Inthis particular embodiment, two MILES circuit boards 460 are used;however, it should be appreciated that the MILES system may beimplemented using any suitable quantity of circuit boards. A MILESbattery 480 may be included for providing electrical power to the MILESelectrical circuit boards 460.

FIG. 6 is a an embodiment of a prototype of the simulated mine of FIG. 1shown with its rear cover removed. The rear cover 410 has been removedto reveal the components described with respect to FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are photographs showing a top view of a prototype of theMILES circuit boards 460 that may be implemented with simulated mine100. Circuit boards 460 may include any suitable arrangement ofcomponents operable to perform the operations of simulated mine 100, andmay comprise logic, an interface, memory, other components, or anysuitable combination of the preceding. “Logic” may refer to hardware,software, other logic, or any suitable combination of the preceding thatmay be used to provide information or instructions. Certain logic maymanage the operation of a device, and may comprise, for example, aprocessor. “Processor” may refer to any suitable device operable toexecute instructions and manipulate data to perform operations.

“Interface” may refer to logic of a device operable to receive input forthe device, send output from the device, perform suitable processing ofthe input or output or both, or any combination of the preceding, andmay comprise one or more ports, conversion software, or both. “Memory”may refer to logic operable to store and facilitate retrieval ofinformation, and may comprise Random Access Memory (RAM), Read OnlyMemory (ROM), a magnetic drive, a disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD) drive,a Digital Video Disk (DVD) drive, removable media storage, any othersuitable data storage medium, or a combination of any of the preceding.

FIG. 8 is a graphical diagram showing one embodiment of a light pattern500 that may be generated by the light transmitters 130 when detonated.In this particular embodiment, light transmitters 130 may havesufficient intensity to simulate lethal coverage that extends 50 metersaway from the front of the simulated mine 100. That is, the lighttransmitters 130 may have sufficient light intensity to simulate alethal strike to MILES receivers (not specifically shown) configured onsoldiers in training. In another embodiment, light pattern 500 may havea 60 degree beamwidth that simulates the firing pattern of an actualmine 200, such as a M18 claymore anti-personnel mine.

Scatter patterns 510 may also be generated by light emitting diodes 320configured on the simulated mine 100. During detonation, the lightemitting diodes 320 may simulate side and rear scatter patterns 510 ofthe actual mine 200. Comparing FIG. 8 with FIG. 2D shows that thesimulated mine 100 simulates the pattern 240 and scatter pattern 260 ofthe actual mine 200 in a relatively accurate manner.

FIG. 9 is a graphical diagram showing side view of the light pattern 500and scatter pattern 510 generated by the light transmitters 130 andlight emitting diodes 320.

Although several embodiments have been illustrated and described indetail, it will be recognized that substitutions and alterations arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the following claims.

1. A simulated mine comprising: a simulated mine housing; a lightingsystem at least partially disposed within the simulated mine housing,the lighting system operable to transmit a light signal representativeof a blast from an actual mine; and a pyrotechnic device disposed withinthe simulated mine housing and operable to detonate simultaneously withtransmission of the light signal.
 2. The simulated mine of claim 1,wherein the lighting system is a multiple integrated laser engagementsystem (MILES).
 3. The simulated mine of claim 2, wherein the multipleintegrated laser engagement system device is operable to transmit alight signal having a 60 degree horizontal pattern.
 4. The simulatedmine of claim 1, wherein the pyrotechnic device comprises a main gunsimulation system (MGSS) cartridge.
 5. The simulated mine of claim 1,wherein the light system comprises a laser.
 6. The simulated mine ofclaim 1, wherein the light system comprises a light emitting diode. 7.The simulated mine of claim 6, wherein the light system furthercomprises a laser.
 8. A simulated mine comprising: a simulated minehousing; and a light system at least partially disposed within thesimulated mine housing, the light system operable to transmit a lightsignal representative of a blast from the actual mine.
 9. The simulatedmine of claim 8, wherein the light system comprises a laser.
 10. Thesimulated mine of claim 8, wherein the light system comprises a lightemitting diode.
 11. The simulated mine of claim 10, wherein the lightsystem further comprises a laser.
 12. The simulated mine of claim 8,wherein the light system is a multiple integrated laser engagementsystem (MILES).
 13. The simulated mine of claim 12, further comprising apyrotechnic device operable to detonate simultaneously with transmissionof the light signal.
 14. The simulated mine of claim 13, wherein thepyrotechnic device comprises a main gun simulation system (MGSS)cartridge.
 15. The simulated mine of claim 8, wherein the simulated minehousing emulates the appearance of an actual mine.
 16. The simulatedmine of claim 8, wherein the light signal representative of a blast froman actual mine is a light pattern showing the expected location offragmentation from an actual mine.
 17. A method comprising: providing asimulated mine housing; and at least partially disposing a light systemwithin the housing, the light system operable to transmit a light signalrepresentative of a blast from the actual mine.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein the light system is a multiple integrated laser engagementsystem (MILES).
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the light systemincludes at least one of a laser or a light emitting diode.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising a pyrotechnic device operable todetonate simultaneously with transmission of the light signal.
 21. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the simulated mine housing emulates theappearance of an actual mine.
 22. The method of claim 17, wherein thelight signal representative of a blast from an actual mine is a lightpattern showing the expected location of fragmentation from an actualmine.